Under the Median: Zucchini "Mac-n-Cheese"

When you want a great, big bowl of creamy comfort, try this plant-based version. It contains no cholesterol or dairy, and yet, my boys were eating it by the bowlful and asking for more!

Nothing is better for saving money during the summer months than relying on locally grown produce from farmers' markets, bought at terrific prices! Plus, the fiber will fill you up without adding to your waistline. Trust me, when you base your weekly meals around fruits and vegetables, your overall bills will plummet!

Both people striving to reduce carbs and those increasing consumption of plant-based meals, will find this recipe to be appropriate for their dietary restrictions.

Begin by making a double batch of oil-free hummus. My very favorite is Get2Droot's delicious, spicy hummus. Add an additional 2 Tbsp of dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp of smoky paprika, 1 tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. garlic powder. So, all you are doing is adding more of the spices that the recipe already calls for.

Finally, thin it with a little plant-based milk, until it is pourable "cheese" consistency.

Dice 1 large yellow onion and 3 minced cloves of garlic. Place them in a large pot with enough water to keep them from burning. Saute until the vegetables are softened - 5 to 7 minutes. Add the zucchini to the pot. Add 1/2 cup of water to the pot so that the zucchini doesn't burn, while it is cooking. Reduce heat, place lid on pot, and cook for 10 minutes. The volume will be reduced by about half.

Pour off almost all of the water from the bottom of the pan. Then, pour the thinned hummus over the top of the vegetables. Mix with a large spoon, until the sauce is fully incorporated with the veggies.

Continue to cook until heated through. Makes enough to serve 6-8 hungry people as a main dish.

*Credit for the inspiration for this recipe goes to https://get2droothealthandwellness.com/

Ingredients:

Double batch of oil-free hummus (Here's my favorite recipe)

2 Tbsp of dijon mustard

1 Tbsp of smoky paprika

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1/2-3/4 cup plant-based milk

1 large yellow onion - diced

3 cloves garlic - minced

3 large zucchini or yellow summer squash (I used one of each) - sliced very thinly

Water

Directions:

"Cheese" sauce:

Begin by making a double batch of oil-free hummus. My very favorite is Get2Droot's delicious, spicy hummus. Add an additional 2 Tbsp of dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp of smoky paprika, 1 tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and 1/4 cup nutritional yeast. So, all you are doing is adding more of the spices that the recipe already calls for.

Finally, thin it with a little plant-based milk, until it is pourable "cheese" consistency.

Vegetables:

Continue to cook until heated through.

Makes enough to serve 8 hungry people as a main dish or 10-12 as a side dish.

Do download a free PDF of this recipe, click here. As always, it's free with my thanks for being an Under the Median fan.